Specification for Rotating Control Devices

API SPECIFICATION 16RCD

SECOND EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2015

API MONOGRAM PROGRAM EFFECTIVE DATE: MARCH 10, 2016

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Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

   1. Purpose 1

   2. Applications 1

   3. Product Specification 1

   4. Units and Dimensioning 1

   5. Metric Conversions 5

   6. Annexes 5

2. Normative References 5

3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 5

   1. Terms and Definitions 5

   2. Acronyms and Abbreviations 11

4. Design Requirements 12

   1. Size Designation 12

   2. Service Conditions 12

   3. Equipment-Specific Design Requirements. 13

   4. Design Methods 17

   5. Design Verification Testing. 17

   6. Documentation 18

   7. Operational Characteristics Tests 18

   8. Design Temperature Verification Testing for Non-metallic Sealing Materials and Molded Sealing Assemblies 21

   9. Operating Manual Requirements 22

5. Material Requirements 23

6. Welding Requirements 23

7. Quality Control Requirements 23

   1. General 23

   2. Measuring and Testing Equipment 23

   3. Quality Control Personnel Qualifications 23

   4. Quality Control Requirements For Equipment and Parts 23

   5. Quality Control Requirements For Specific Equipment And Parts 23

   6. Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Matrix 26

   7. Quality Control Records Requirements 26

8. Marking Requirements 29

   1. General 29

   2. Types of Identification Stamping 30

   3. Specific Codification Requirements of Equipment 30

9. Storing and Shipping 32

   1. Storing for Periods of Greater Than 30 Days 32

   2. Shipping 33

Contents

Page

Annex A (informative) Use of API Monogram by Licensees 34

Annex B (informative) Operational Characteristics Test Procedures Used to Define the Operating Characteristics of RCDs 37

Annex C (informative) Design Temperature Verification Test Procedures Used to Verify the Temperature Range of Non-Metallic Seals and Molded Assemblies 42

Annex D (informative) Purchasing Guidelines for Rotating Control Devices 46

Annex E (informative) Failure Reporting 48

Annex F (informative) Metric Conversions and Fraction-to-Decimal Equivalents 49

Bibliography 51

Figures

1. Typical Surface Stack illustrating an Active Rotating Control Device 2

2. Typical Surface Stack illustrating a Passive Rotating Control Device 3

3. Typical Surface Stack illustrating a Hybrid Rotating Control Device 4

Tables

1. Temperature Ratings for Metallic Materials 12

2. Required Operational Characteristics Tests and Acceptable Scaling Practices 19

3. RCD Test Procedures 20

4. FAT Requirements 27

5. Marking Requirements and Locations 29

6. Elastomer Compound Marking Code 31

7. Temperature Class 32

1. Conversion Factors 49

2. Fraction-to-Decimal Conversion Chart 50

Specification for Rotating Control Devices

1. Scope

   1. Purpose

      
      

      This specification is developed to provide for the safe and functionally interchangeable rotating control devices (RCDs) utilized in air drilling, drilling operations for oil and gas, and in geothermal drilling operations.

      
      

      Technical content provides requirements for design, performance, materials, tests and inspection, welding, marking, handling, storing, and shipping. This specification does not apply to field use or field-testing of RCDs.

      
      

      Critical components are those parts having requirements specified in this document.

      
      

      If product is supplied bearing the API Monogram and manufactured at a facility licensed by API, the requirements of Annex A apply.

      
      

   2. Applications

      
      

      1. Equipment

         
         

         An RCD is considered a complete system when comprised of subcomponents that allows for rotation and axial movement of drill string while simultaneously containing wellbore pressure. Specific equipment covered by this specification includes but not limited to:

         
         

         1. active, passive, and hybrid rotating control devices (see Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3) illustrate a surface BOP stack-up with each type of RCD installed);

            
            

         2. RCD bearing assemblies including metallic and non-metallic parts;

            
            

         3. RCD packer units (active and passive types);

            
            

         4. RCD housing clamps or locking mechanisms.

         
         

      2. Interchangeability

         
         

         Dimensional interchangeability is limited to end and outlet connections per API 6A and API 16A.

         
         

      3. Service Conditions

Service conditions refer to classifications for pressure, temperature, and wellbore fluids listed in 4.2 for which the equipment is designed.

1. Product Specification

   
   

   This specification establishes requirements for products listed in 1.2.1.

   
   

2. Units and Dimensioning

For the purposes of this specification, the decimal/inch system is the standard for the dimensions shown. API size designation is shown as fractions. For the purposes of this specification, the fractions and their decimal equivalents are equal and interchangeable.

1